Manual carrier truck



Feb. 23, 1965 M. R. PETERSON MANUAL CARRIER TRUCK FIG.

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9o MAX R. PETERSON W [Z414 25 I09 ATTORNEY led June 22 1 M. R. PETERSON 3,170,705

MANUAL CARRIER TRUCK 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W F 8 I f 6? 5 BI 82 FlG, 7

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INVENTOR.

MAX R. PETERSON ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,170,705 MANUAL CARRIER TRUCK Max R. Peterson, 701 N. Main St., Monmouth, Ill. Filed June 22, 1962, Ser. No. 204,531 9 Claims. (Cl. 280-431) This invention relates to a carrier or truck for transporting furniture, cartons, and other bulk materials. More particularly this invention relates to an improved device of; this nature.

The object of the present invention is to provide a carrier with an upright frame and a pair of caster wheels supporting it which are adjustable to raise and lower the frame. Supported on and projecting from the frame is a shelf. In normal operation the shelf will seat under one end of a desk, carton or piece of furniture. By raising the frame on the casters, that end of the desk, carton or furniture will be raised. With a similar device at the opposite end/the entire desk, carton or piece of furniture may be rolled over the floor. This particular device is especially adapted for moving desks, when desiring to clean under the desk or for transporting the desk from one location to another.

It is also an object of the invention to provide suitable linkage and a foot lever for operating the'linkage which will raise and lower the frame on its casters. In a modification thereof, it is also an object of the invention to provide hydraulic means for operating the linkage.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a unique and manually operated locking device for fixing the frame in a predetermined up position on its casters.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a shelf structure adjustably supported for vertical positioning'on the frame and also be self-adjusting to accommodate the contour of the undersurface of the. article to be raised.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the nature of the invention is better understood from the following description and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIGURE 1 is a rear view of the carrying device.

FIGURE 2 is an end view of the device with a load being indicated in dotted representation.

FIGURE 3 is an end view, somewhat'similar to FIG- URE 2, showing the device in a different location.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a front View of a portion of the devic as taken at 55 in FIGURE 3.

. FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of a portion of the locking mechanism of the carrying device.

FIGURE 8 is a rear view, somewhat similar to FIG- URE 1, of a modified form of carrying device.

The carrying device is composed of a main upright frame 10 having oppositely disposed and upright side beams 11, 12 interconnected by laterally disposed braces or beams as indicated in their upper and lower locations by the reference numbers 13, 14 respectively. The side beams 11, 12 are U-shaped in cross section and have front flanges or edges 15, 16 respectively lying in a common upright plane that defines the front of the frame, and rear flanges or edges 17, 18 respectively defining the rear of the frame.

Extending inwardly from the side beams 11, 12 is a pair of structural; members 19,- 20 that project laterally and relatively close but spacedly from the lower'cross beam 14. Extending between the members 19, 20 and beam 14 isa pair of upright structural tubes 21, 22. The

beam 14 as well as the structural members 19,20 have openings, not shown, in registry with the hollow portions ofthe tubes or pipes 21, 22. Slidingly supported for vertical movement in the pipes 21, 22 are a pair of upright caster rods 23, 24 with their lower ends depending beneath the beam'14 and having conventional type caster wheel assemblies 25, 26 carried thereon. An upper buffer plate 27 extends across the side beams 11, 12 and faces forwardly. I

A pair of arms 30, 31 are carried on the side beam 11, 12 and extend both inwardly and rearwardly. The arms are welded to the underside of a pair of hinge plates 32, 33 which have their hinge pins, such as is shown at 34 (FIGURE 6), at an angle to the respective side beams 11, 12. The arms 30, 31 are of box'construction and have underplates 39, 40 slotted at 35, 36 to receive the upper ends of the caster rods 23, 24. The

upper ends of the rods 23, 24 normally bear against the underside 'of top plates 37, 38 of the arms 30, 31.

Carried on the rods 23, 24 adjacent their supper ends are coil springs 44, respectively which bear against the top of the structural members 19, 20 and restraining means in the form of washers 46, 47 and cotter pins 48, 49 which extend through the rods 23, 24.

Reviewing the description to this point, it becomes apparent that the movement of the arms 30, 31 will effect the raising and lowering of the frame 10 on the caster rods 23, 24. Unless otherwise restricted, the weight of the frame 10 as well as the springs 44, 45 will force the frame 10 downwardly and arms 30, 31 upwardly to the position shown in FIGURE 3.

Fixed to the front of the upright frame 10 and adjacent the lower portion thereof is an upright plate 50. The plate has horizontal corrugations 51, the purpose of which will later be explained, extending across its front face.

Means for adjusting the arms 30, 31 are provided on the rear face of the plate and includes a hinge, indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 52 and a centrally located and rearwardly projecting lever or foot pedal 53 which may swing vertically on the hinge 52. The foot pedal 53 is positioned beneath the inner ends of arms 30, 31 and is connected thereto by links 54, 55, suitable lugs 56, 57 and 58, 59 being provided on the arms and foot pedal for connection to the respective links 54, 55. 7

Fixed to the-upper surface of the foot pedal 53 is a pyramid shaped metal strap 60 having an opening 61 receiving the lower end of an upright locking rod 62. The lower end is retained beneath the strap 60 by a cotter key 63. The rod 62 extends substantially the height of the frame 10 and has a laterally extending upper end 64 Extending between the side beams 11, 12 at the height of the upper end of the rod 62 is a horizontal brace 67 having a centrally located and rearwardly projecting bracket structure 68. The bracket structure 68 has an opening 69 receiving the upper end of the rod 62 and the opening has a pair of opposed recessed notches 70, 71 for accommodating passage of the lugs 65,.66. As is apparent from viewing FIGURE 7, if the rod 62 is twisted so that the lugs are free to pass through the slots 70, 71, the foot pedal 53 will be free to move vertically. However, if the rod is twisted so that the lugs. and slots are aligned, then the rod, and consequently the foot pedal 53, will bellimited in vertical movement toposition $9 the rod 62 to a position locking the pedal against upward movement.

A shelf structure 80 is provided on the front of the frame and is composed of an L-shaped main supporting member 81 having a vertical plate portion 82 and a forwardly projecting horizontal plate portion 83. The rear face of the vertical portion 82 has horizontal corrugations therein which are received in the front corrugations 51 of the plate 50. The plate 50 has vertical slots 85 through which pass rearwardly projecting studs 86. Thumb nuts 87 are provided on the studs 86 and normally lock the plate 50 and portion 82 rigidly together. As is clearly evident, the L-shaped shelf member 81 may be adjusted vertically on the plate 50 by loosening the thumb nuts sufiiciently to permit disengagement of the corrugated surfaces and then moving the member 81 vertically to the location desired.

The horizontal portion 83 has at its opposite ends a pair of upwardly projecting lugs 90, 91. A shelf floor 92 is positioned above the portion 83 and has depending ears 93, 94 lying adjacent the lugs 90, 91 and pivotally connected thereto, by pivot pins 95, 96, to swing about a transverse horizontal axis.

Referring now to the modification shown in FIGURE 8, there is provided an optional manner of adjusting the lever 53. The bracket 68. is provided with a pair of transversely aligned openings 98 through which a pin 99 may extend. The pin mounts an hydraulic cylinder 100 to the brace 67. The cylinder has a downwardly projecting rod 101 that has its lower end connected to the lever 53 in a manner similar to that described relative to the rod 62. The cylinder 100 is of a conventional type and is manually operable by a manual lever 102 for pumping hydraulic fluid and by a manual knob 103 for releasing pressure of the hydraulic fluid.

There are several advantages of carriers or carrying devices as shown. By having the interlocking corrugated surfaces of the plate 50 and section 82, the shelf structure 80 may be moved vertically a considerable distance relative to the frame 10. For example, in handling desks, there will be occasions when the lower edges of the desk are closely adjacent to the floor while on other occasions the desks will have their lower edges considerably olf the floor. As may be seen in comparing FIGURES 2 and 3, the foot pedal operates to adjust the frame only slightly on the caster wheels, in the particular instance approximately one inch. For larger adjustments, the entire shelf structure 80 must be moved vertically as explained and then the foot pedal usedto raise the object from the floor.

By providing the pivotal mounting of the shelf floor 92, it may automatically adjust itself to the contour of the underside of the desk or other member which may be carried. In some instances the lower end of the frame 10 will not abut the end of the member. Nevertheless, the pivotal mounting of the shelf 92 will ensure solid and generally level contact with the undersurface of the member to be carried.

The hydraulic lift control, as shown in FIGURE 8, offers tremendous advantage in that regardless of the weight of the object to be carried, the required effort of raising it by the frame 10 will be substantially the same. Also, by accurately operating the manual valve 103, the carried object may be lowered very gently.

Additional floor engaging skid element 105, 106 are mounted on the side beams 11, 12 and project rearwardly of the rearwardmost portion of the foot pedal 53 when it is in its down position. The main portions of the elements 105, 106 are normally vertical with and have lower and upper ends, as at 109, 110, curved, forwardly toward the respective side beams 11, 12. The upper and lower ends of the elements 105, 106 are detachably connected to the beams 11, 12 by means of bolts, as at 107, 108, having countersunk heads so as to lie flush with the surfaces of the skid elements 105, 106. Nuts, not shown, are provided inside of the beams 4 11, 12 for the countersunk headed bolts. Therefore, the skid elements 105, 106 may be removed if not needed. In the modified form of FIGURE 8, the skids are not shown but could easily be attached.

The purpose of the skids 105, 106, is to permit the carton, desk, furniture or article to be carried while tilted on end. This may be done by tipping the load on the casters 25, 26 until the arcuate lower ends, as at 109, contact the floor and then rock the load on the lower ends until the skid elements 105, 106 engage the fioor. In this respect, it should be recognized that the arcuate lower portions must be placed slightly upwardly and rearwardly as respects the casters 25, 26 so as to ensure an easy rocking action from the casters to the skids. The load may then be carried on the skids. It is often desirable, for example in shipping desks, to place the desk on end so as to take up less space in an elevator or truck. Consequently, the present carrier offers the advantage of being able to transport the load either on the casters 25, 26 or the skids 105, 106.

It should be recognized that dimensional limitations such as front, rear, side, etc., when used in the present disclosure was for purposes of description only. Also, it should be recognized that while only one modification of the invention was shown, other forms and variations will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, while the present detailed description has been given for the purpose of completely and concisely illustrating the principles of the invention, it is not intended to limit or narrow the invention beyond the broad concepts set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A carrying structure comprising: an upright frame including a pair of upright, opposed, and spaced apart side beams interconnected by rigid structure with edges thereof lying in a common upright plane defining a front of the frame; a pair of caster wheel means including vertically extending caster rods; means supporting the rods on the frame for vertical movement; a pair of arms hingedly supported on the respective side beams adjacent the bottom thereof and extending both inwardly and rearwardly therefrom to inner adjacent ends, the plates having means thereon engaging the top of the respective caster rods; a foot lever positioned centrally between the side beams hingedly mounted on the frame to swing about a horizontal axis and projecting rearwardly; means connecting the inner ends of the arms to the lever whereby downward movement of the lever will force the frame upwardly on the caster rods; a shelf supported on the frame and extending forwardly from the front side thereof; and a locking mechanism on the frame for retaining said frame in a predetermined position relative to the cast-er rods.

2. An implement supporting structure comprising: an upright frame including a pair of upright, opposed, and spaced apart side beams interconnected by rigid structure with edges thereof lying in a common upright plane defining a front of the frame; a pair of caster wheel means including vertically extending caster rods; means supporting. the rods on the frame for vertical movement; a pair of arms hingedly supported on the respective side beams adjacent the bottom thereof and extending both inwardly and rearwardly therefrom to adjacent ends, the plates having means thereon engaging the tops of the respective caster rods; a foot lever positioned centrally between the side beams hingedly mounted on the frame to swing about a horizontal axis and projecting rearwardly as respects the frame; means connecting the inner ends of the arms to the lever whereby downward movement of the lever will force the frame upwardly on the caster rods; a shelf supported on the frame and extending forwardly from the front side thereof; an upright rod swivelly connected at its lower end to the foot pedal and having a lug extending from the side thereof adjacent its upper end; means on the upper end of the frame defining an opening through which the upper end of the rod may pass with a notch at one edge thereof for permitting passage of the rod and lug, whereby swiveling of the rod may place the lug in or out of alignment with the notch.

3. A carrying structure comprising: an upright frame having front and rear sides; wheel means; means supporting the wheel means on the frame; means between the frame and wheel means for effecting relative vertical adjustment; a shelf supporting structure having means thereon defining a horizontal pivot parallel to and spaced from the front of the frame; and a shelf having a laterally disposed top surface and a bottom portion mounted on the horizontal pivot, the shelf being self-adjustable to compensate for varying underlying surfaces of a load to be raised.

4.The invention defined in claim 3 further characterized by upright skids supported on the frame spacedly rearwardly of the frame with lower .arcuate ends thereof being closely spaced from the floor whereby the frame may rock rearwardly from said wheel means onto the arcuate ends and from thence be supported by the skids and said frame will be in a horizontal disposition.

5. The invention defined in claim 1 further characterized by vertical skid elements fixed to the side beams spaced ly rearwardly of the beams with lower arcuate portions curved forwardly toward the caster wheels, whereby said frame may be rocked from a vertical position on the caster wheels to a horizontal position on the skid elements.

6. The invention defined in claim 3 in which the means between the wheel means and frame for effecting vertical adjustment includes wheel means including cast-er wheel means supporting the frame; an hydraulic jack between the frame and wheel means for effecting vertical positioning of the frame relative to the wheel means; a

manually operated pump on the frame for operating the jack including a manually operated valve for effecting side of the frame has a horizontally corrugated surface and the shelf supporting structure is L-shaped and has an upright section and a laterally disposed section extending forwardly therefrom, the upright section having a horizontally corrugated rear surface adapted to be received in the corrugated surface of the frame, and the horizontal pivot is on the laterally disposed section; and means detachably interlocking the corrugated surfaces of the upright section and frame, the latter means being adaptable to retain the L-shaped supporting structure at a plurality of vertical positions relative to'the frame.

8. The invention defined in claim 3 in which the shelf supporting structure is L-shaped with an upright section and laterally disposed section extending forwardly therefrom, the latter having thereon said means defining the horizontal pivot, and further characterized by means detachably connecting the upright section and the frame, said latter means being adaptable to retain the L-shaped supporting structure at a plurality of vertical positions relative to the frame.

9. The invention defined in claim 3 in which the Wheel means includes a pair of caster wheels including vertically extending caster rods and the means between the wheel means and frame for effecting vertical adjustment includes hydraulic means between the frame and rods for efiecting the vertical position of the frame relative to the rods.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 726,420 4/03' Frazier 28043.1 X 2,439,581 4/48 Robins 280-35 2,800,337 7/57 Avril 280-4729 X PHILIP ARNOLD, Primary Examiner. 

1. A CARRYING STRUCTURE COMPRISING: AN UPRIGHT FRAME INCLUDING A PAIR OF UPRIGHT, OPPOSED, AND SPACED APART SIDE BEAMS INTERCONNECTED BY RIGID STRUCTURE WITH EDGES THEREOF LYING IN A COMMON UPRIGHT PLANE DEFINING A FRONT OF THE FRAME; A PAIR OF CASTER WHEEL MEANS INCLUDING VERTICALLY EXTENDING CASTER RODS; MEANS SUPPORTING THE RODS ON THE FRAME FOR VERTICAL MOVEMENT; A PAIR OF ARMS HINGEDLY SUPPORTED ON THE RESPECTIVE SIDE BEAMS ADJACENT WARDLY THEREFROM AND EXTENDING BOTH INWARDLY AND REARWARDLY THEREFROM TO INNER ADJACENT ENDS, THE PLATES HAVING MEANS THEREON ENGAGING THE TOP OF THE RESPECTIVE CASTER RODS; A FOOT LEVER POSITIONED CENTRALLY BETWEEN THE SIDE BEAMS HINGEDLY MOUNTED ON THE FRAME TO SWING ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS AND PROJECTING REARWARDLY; MEANS CONNECTING THE INNER ENDS OF THE ARMS TO THE LEVER WHEREBY DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF THE LEVER WILL FORCE THE FRAME UPWARDLY ON THE CENTER RODS; A SHEFT SUPPORTED ON THE FRAME AND EXTENDING FORWARDLY FROM THE FRONT SIDE THEREOF; AND A LOCKING MECHANISM ON THE FRAME FOR RETAINING SAID FRAME IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION RELATIVE TO THE CASTER RODS. 